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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue baseball scored five times with two outs in the third inning, riding the extended rally to its 10th consecutive win, a 9-5 victory vs. Northwestern on Saturday at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (26-16, 12-4 B1G) won their eighth straight game in Big Ten play, remaining one game behind conference leaders Minnesota and Michigan, both also winners on Saturday.
Alec Olund doubled in each of his first two at-bats, finishing the night with his third three-hit effort in the last seven games. The senior is 13-for-25 with no strikeouts during the season-long homestand. All nine batters in the Purdue lineup reached base safely at least once. The Boilermakers racked up a dozen hits for the fourth time in Big Ten play this season.
Despite not posting a true 1-2-3 inning while it was in the field defensively, Purdue did not trail at any point for the seventh time during its 10-game win streak. Northwestern (14-27, 4-16 B1G) cut its deficit to two runs in the fifth and seventh innings, but the Boilermakers answered with an insurance tally in the bottom half of both frames. Evan Warden drove in both of those runs, delivering a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning and two-out RBI single in the seventh.
Ross Learnard was called upon to close the game out after the Wildcats loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning. The All-American allowed an inherited runner to score for only the second time this season after a sac fly, but retired both batters he faced to earn his 10th save while extending his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 23 1/3. Purdue's closer has recorded the final out of eight of the 10 wins during the current streak. He's just the fifth Boilermaker to record 10 saves in a season. With 11 career saves in Big Ten play, he has established a program record.
Coach @Waz4412 & @AlecOlund1 discuss #Purdue's 10th straight win. Smart base running, solid outfield defense & a long rally in the 3rd inning were key parts of the 9-5 victory vs. Northwestern. #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/5zFGFinrzi
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 6, 2018
SATURDAY NOTABLES
Purdue has compiled the ninth double-figure win streak in team history. The eight-game win streak in Big Ten play is the second longest behind only a 10-game run in 2001.
By winning the first seven games of their season-long homestand, the Boilermakers have registered their longest home win streak at Alexander Field (2013-present). Purdue's last single-season home win streak of at least seven games was in 2010 at Lambert Field.
The Boilermakers have clinched their first series win vs. Northwestern in West Lafayette since March 2008.
Trevor Cheaney worked an inning and a third of hitless relief. He has pitched nine scoreless innings of four-hit relief with 12 strikeouts dating back to April 17.
Ben Nisle tried to make a diving catch on a sinking line drive in the seventh inning. It landed in front of Nisle and went for a double. It's the only extra-base hit Dalton Parker has allowed in 14 2/3 innings of relief this season. Parker (2-0) was credited with the win Saturday after working 2 1/3 innings of one-run ball. He replaced starter Gareth Stroh with one out in the fifth inning as NU's lineup was set to begin its third cycle of at-bats.
Catcher Nick Dalesandro and Stroh both picked off a runner at first base. Dalesandro's back pick at first brought the first inning to an end via a strike `em out, pick `em off double play. Stroh recorded his team-leading fourth pickoff.
Dalesandro stole three bases, becoming the first Boilermaker to accomplish the feat this season. His 17 steals this year are tops among full-time catchers nationally.
Harry Shipley, Skyler Hunter, Jacson McGowan and Dalesandro all extended their long streaks. Shipley reached base safely for a 20th consecutive game, Hunter hit safely in a 10th consecutive Big Ten game, McGowan reached base safely in a 13th consecutive game and Dalesandro reached base safely in a 16th consecutive game.
McGowan was intentionally walked for the fifth time this season, drawing a walk for the eighth straight game.
Full Highlights from Saturday's 9-5 win vs. Northwestern at Alexander Field. #Purdue has clinched its first series vs. NU in West Lafayette since 2008.
Red hot #Boilers have won 8 straight in Big Ten play. pic.twitter.com/Sar3ZNxRQe-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 6, 2018
Hunter, Nisle, Evan Kennedy and Olund all recorded two-out RBI hits in Purdue's five-run third inning. Kennedy's single plated a pair. The Boilermakers scored five runs in an inning for the fifth time this season. Tyler Powers' leadoff single ignited the long rally.
Olund made the top defensive play of the night, a lunging catch on a line drive to right center in the fourth inning. It saved a run because a two-run homer by Connor Lind followed.
The first pitch of Sunday's series finale has been moved up an hour to noon ET.